Story of the dervish who had secluded himself in the mountains, with an account of the sweetness of severance (from the world) and seclusion and of entering upon this path, for (God hath said), “I am the companion of them that commemorate Me and the friend of them that take Me as their friend. If thou art with all, thou art without all when thou art without Me; And if thou art without all, thou art with all when thou art with Me.”

بود درویشی بکهساری مقیم ** خلوت او را بود هم خواب و ندیم

There was a dervish dwelling in a mountainous place: solitude was his bedfellow and boon-companion.

چون ز خالق می‌رسید او را شمول ** بود از انفاس مرد و زن ملول1615

Since collectedness (spiritual quiet) was coming for him from the Creator, he was weary of the breaths of man and woman.

همچنانک سهل شد ما را حضر ** سهل شد هم قوم دیگر را سفر

Just as staying at home is easy to us, so travelling is easy to another class of people.

آنچنانک عاشقی بر سروری ** عاشقست آن خواجه بر آهنگری

In the same way as thou art in love with dominion, that worthy man is in love with the ironsmith's handicraft.

هر کسی را بهر کاری ساختند ** میل آن را در دلش انداختند

Every one has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that (work) has been put into his heart.

دست و پا بی میل جنبان کی شود ** خار وخس بی آب و بادی کی رود

How should hand and foot be set in motion without desire? How should sticks and straws go (from their place) without any water or wind?

گر ببینی میل خود سوی سما ** پر دولت بر گشا همچون هما1620

If thou see (that) thy desire (is) towards Heaven, unfold the wings of empire, like the Humá;

ور ببینی میل خود سوی زمین ** نوحه می‌کن هیچ منشین از حنین

But if thou see (that) thy desire (is) towards the earth, keep lamenting, cease not at all from moaning.

عاقلان خود نوحه‌ها پیشین کنند ** جاهلان آخر بسر بر می‌زنند

The wise, indeed, make lamentations at first; the foolish beat their heads at the last.

ز ابتدای کار آخر را ببین ** تا نباشی تو پشیمان یوم دین

From the beginning of the affair discern the end (thereof), so that thou mayst not be repenting on the Day of Judgement.

دیدن زرگر عاقبت کار را و سخن بر وفق عاقبت گفتن با مستعیر ترازو

How a goldsmith discerned the end of the affair and spoke in accordance with the end to one who wished to borrow his scales.

آن یکی آمد به پیش زرگری ** که ترازو ده که بر سنجم زری

A certain man came to a goldsmith, saying, “Give me the scales, that I may weigh some gold.”

گفت خواجه رو مرا غربال نیست ** گفت میزان ده برین تسخر مه‌ایست1625

The master (goldsmith) said, “Go, I have no sieve.” “Give me the scales,” he replied, “and don't stop to jest like this.”